We need a spring poem; we need a poem with flowers; we need a poem with a lot of flowers. Deborah Leipziger, a member of Somerville’s literary group the “Bagel Bards” (we meet every Saturday morning at the Au Bon Pain in Davis Square, so why not join us?) sends us a bouquet just in the nick of time. Here is a bit about Deborah below: 

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Honorable Members of the Board of Aldermen:

I’m writing to offer some comments on the City of Somerville’s proposed new zoning ordinance. I will confess from the outset that I have not read all 300 plus pages of that document. But the hours I have spent with the ordinance and map convince me that the draft ordinance is incomplete, has internal inconsistencies, and is generally unready to be enacted into law.

Somerville’s Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) reminds Somerville homeowners that if your home has been determined to have historical significance, plaques are available for purchase through the City’s Historic Plaque Program. Eligible homeowners can purchase the plaques from the SHPC for $50, which is at-cost from the City’s vendor. Each plaque identifies the historic name of the house, based upon the first one or two owners, and the date of construction or, if not exactly known, “circa” is used. The SHPC is making these plaques available again to eligible homeowners at a reasonable cost to increase awareness by both residents and visitors alike of Somerville’s historic assets. To learn more about the Historic Plaque Program, which is not offered on a regular basis, please contact Historic Preservation Commission Executive Director J. Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 ext. 2532 or bwilson@somervillema.gov.

Update: This workshop has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Somerville Council on Aging presents JUST MAKE SOMETHING!

What: Hands-on art workshop with Artist Miranda Aisling Hynes. Turn basic art and recycled materials into non-traditional art.

Arrests:
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Rashid Alnuamani, of Washington St., Boston, March 16, 3:55 p.m., arrested at 77 Middlesex Ave. on warrant charges of possession of a class B drug, trespassing, shoplifting by asportation, resisting arrest and violation of city ordinance non-payment of fares.

Follows $2.2M in funding for affordable housing; recommendations headed to Board of Aldermen for approval

More than $1.9 million for historic preservation and green space projects including Prospect Hill Tower and Park, the Community Growing Center, and the Somerville Museum has been recommended by the Somerville Community Preservation Committee, which reviewed 15 applications for funding through the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

More than $2.1 million in federal grant funding has been awarded for homeless assistance programs in Somerville and Arlington through the federal Continuum of Care Program Competition for FY14, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced this week.

Ultimate π Day at the Healey School brought out the higher mathematician in everyone who participated.

By Tom Bannister

Saturday, March 14 was Pi Day (3.14), but not just any π day, it was Ultimate π Day because it is 2015: 3.14.15! What better excuse is there to have a celebration of math with middle schoolers than π? Well over 200 students, parents, teachers, and volunteers from the high school, PTA and community, celebrated π at the Healey School by eating pizza for dinner, then spending an evening estimating, creating, collecting data, answering questions, and ending with pies for everyone.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

I thought I had reached the end of the line back on May 18, 2013 when I tried to say goodbye to this column. Somehow I got a burst of inspiration and continued writing another 100 or so stories.

— Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

Statement from Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi regarding student injury this morning

The investigation of this morning’s multiple-car accident at the intersection of McGrath Highway and Highland Avenue in Somerville confirmed that a 16-year-old male student who attends Full Circle High School in our District was injured as a result of the crash. The student was reportedly walking in the area of the intersection when the accident occurred. He was transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.